Category: Household Pests

A recent article from the National Pest Management Association reminds us that although the weather turns cooler in Fall, it brings a new list of home pest control problems, because cold weather brings everyone indoors.

Pests such as cockroaches, ants and some species of spiders have life cycles longer than a year, meaning they need to find shelter during the winter to survive. These pests can pose serious risks to both people and homes. Cockroaches can contaminate stored food, leave droppings around the home and trigger allergic asthma, especially in children. On top of all that, some spiders commonly found around homes are poisonous.

Below are ten pest-proofing tips from the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) that every homeowner can follow to keep pests outside during the fall and winter:

Screen attic vents and openings to chimneys, and any other areas where homes may be open to the outdoors, like mail slots and animal doors.

Keep basements, attics and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry. Pests are attracted to areas of moisture, something they need to survive.

Seal cracks and crevices on the outside of the home using caulk and steel wool.

Replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around the foundation and windows.

Store any outside items at least 20 feet away from the house and keep shrubbery well trimmed. Removing areas where pests can hide near your home can reduce the chance of them finding a way inside.

Install door sweeps and repair damaged screens. Torn window screens and cracks under doors are an ideal entry point for household pests.

Inspect items such as boxes of decorations, package deliveries, and grocery bags before bringing them indoors. Pests can find creative ways to get inside a home.

Avoid leaving pets’ food dishes out for long periods of time. Pests don’t discriminate between people food and cat food.

Have a proper outdoor drainage system. Installing gutters or repairing an existing system will help draw water and moisture away from your home, preventing any leaks or build up that might attract pests.

The best way to protect your home and prevent any type of pest infestation during the winter is to follow these pest-proofing tips in the fall when the temperature begins to drop.

Latest News from National Pest Management Association about College and Bed Bugs

When students return to college campuses nationwide, many arrive with memories of summer travel as well as some essential secondhand furniture including mattresses, futons, dressers and more. According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), this combination poses serious concerns, as there has been a 71% increase in reports of bed bugs since 2001. While termed bed bugs, these nocturnal pests, when introduced to new environments, can spread quickly to infest sofas, chairs, picture frames and other staples of college dorm décor.

“Bed bugs are opportunistic and elusive pests,” says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. “As students return from summers filled with travel – which is often viewed as a central reason for this pests’ resurgence – and arrive with dorm furniture that can have an unknown history, university facility managers must proactively encourage student vigilance against bed bugs and work closely with licensed pest professionals to keep these pests at bay.”

Fully inspect your suitcases prior to re-packing for a return to school, especially if you have traveled during the summer. Be sure that any clothes that may have been previously packed in the suitcase have been washed in hot water.

Before putting your sheets on your dormitory bed, inspect the mattress seams, particularly at the corners, for telltale stains or spots. Thoroughly inspect the entire room before unpacking, including behind the headboard and in sofas/chairs. If you see anything suspect, immediately contact a university facility manager.

If you are considering bringing “secondhand” furniture to campus, properly inspect it to insure that a pest problem, such as bed bugs, is not the reason for its “secondhand” status. If you see anything suspect, do not bring it to campus.

If you are concerned about your student and bed bugs or have a bed bug problem in your home, give Rick a call at Green Earth Pest Control and we can help you out.

Read the full story here: http://www.pestworld.org/news-hub/pest-articles/keep-bed-bugs-from-going-back-to-school-with-college-students/

Flea Treatment:
Fleas are persistent pests and a pain in the rear for our pets and their humans.

Several species of fleas may be pests in Florida. Fleas are small (1/16 inch), red-brown, wingless, blood-sucking insects. Their bodies are laterally compressed (flattened side to side), permitting easy movement through the hairs on the host’s body. Their legs are long and well adapted for jumping. The mouthparts of an adult flea are adapted for sucking blood from a host. Flea treatment is a necessity if you own pets in Florida and most of the United States.

The cat flea is the most common. Cat fleas may attack a wide variety of warm-blooded animals including dogs, humans, chickens, rabbits, squirrels, rats and mice. Although the dog, human, and stick-tight fleas are also found in Florida, multiple species of fleas may be found on a single animal.

Fleas breed in large numbers where pets and other animals live. Pets infested with fleas bite and scratch themselves. Their coats become roughened, and the skin can become infected. Cat fleas and dog fleas may also be hosts for tapeworms.

A flea bite leaves a small red spot where it has inserted its mouthparts. Many people do not react to flea bites at all, while others are sensitive and suffer severe allergic reactions. Fleas may also carry human diseases such as the plague, typhus and tularemia.

Flea Treatment:
In order to successfully combat a flea problem, you have to attack it on two fronts: 1) treat the pet; and 2) treat the premises.

Although on-animal flea control is the most popular and effective method of controlling fleas, all areas of the home and yard should also be treated. When the animal is treated with an internally taken product or certain topical flea treatments, the fleas jump onto the treated animal as it moves through infested areas and when it bites, it receives the fatal dose of pesticide so that it won’t reproduce or move in to your pets fur. Other flea treatment options are liquid wash products in which fleas are either killed by contact.

Flea treatment on pets alone isn’t usually sufficient. Fleas may continue to infest your yard and home and get right back on your newly cleaned and treated pet. Treating the home and yard with liquid flea treatment is usually a needed step in order to stop the infestation or t make the infestation stop faster. This is extremely important for those who have animals or family members with flea allergies. It’s also makes a huge difference for those who have carpets and large lawns where fleas can infest and continue to re-infest pets.

Oral flea medication prescribed by veterinarians can provide the control of fleas when pets are not allowed outdoors. Many of these products can kill fleas before they have a chance to bite flea-allergic animals. With this method of treatment, much less product is used than for insecticide treatment of premises, which mainly kills the immature stages of fleas. Topical or spot treatment provides effective residual control. To be certain pets remain free of fleas, it is necessary to make routine use of flea control products, especially if pets are allowed contact with infested animals or premises.

Flea-free pets can become re-infested with fleas from their environment. For the most effective control, sleeping areas, bedding, kennels, and other areas frequented by the animal should be treated at the time the pet treatment is made. All rugs should be thoroughly cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or a steam cleaner. Infested furniture, pet baskets, and cracks should be thoroughly cleaned to prevent the larvae from finding food. Dirt that is collected should be disposed of immediately to destroy fleas and flea larvae. Insecticides should be applied inside the house carefully as light spot treatments to areas where fleas are known to be hiding. These can be applied indoors as crack-and-crevice or surface treatments.

For heavy infestations with egg masses, contact a professional immediately. Infested areas should be treated by applying a broadcast treatment of insecticide to the landscape. Special effort should be given in treating areas frequented by pets. Applications at two-to-four-week intervals may be necessary to eliminate the fleas.

We offer both traditional pest control options and organic pest control options. Our staff at Green Earth Pest Control is experienced in eradicating flea infestations. Give us a call if you are having problems and we can help you determine how bad the problem is and in what ways you may want to start treating. You, your pet(s), and your family will be happier and healthier!

Summer is the time to relax and enjoy the warm weather. Unfortunately common household pests may be trying to vacation in and around your house, too.

Some of these annoying pests may end up in your house as unwanted guests, but there are things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your pets from unwanted household pests.

You have probably heard that prevention is the key to most pest problems. It is much easier to keep pests away than to get rid of them once they’ve settled inside your home. The best thing to do is to make your home unattractive to these pests with a clean and uncluttered space. You need to assure that all food is probably sealed and kept on high shelves. Be diligent about sweeping up crumbs and frequently take out smelly garbage. Seal up holes in walls, cupboards, doors, and windows so bugs don’t have a way in, and consider putting screens in your windows. Clean up standing water around the house and puddles outside.

3.Bees and Wasps:You’ve heard the buzz about these stingers and for those with allergies, it’s serious business. Bees and wasps builds nests underground, in trees, household eaves and in other structures. Bee and wasp stings cause pain, itching, and swelling. And for those with severe allergies, a single sting can be deadly.

4.Fleas:It’s not always Fido’s fault but fleas do often lives in hair or fur of animals. Flea bites cause itching and are notoriously hard to eradicate. Fleas can transmit serious diseases such as typhus and tapeworms.

5.Flies:Flies maybe the most annoying insects in our daily lives. Garbage bins, dumpsters and general home refuse is the breeding ground for maggots and flies. It’s important to eliminate houseflies as much as possible as they spread bacteria and diseases like food poisoning and dysentery.

6.Mosquitoes:You’ll often find mosquitoes near standing water such as puddles, retaining ponds, rivers and tidal areas. While these insects leave a wickedly itchy bite, more seriously they are known to transmit Malaria, Encephalitis, Dengue, West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, Yellow Fever and Heartworm.

7.Meal Moths:Meal moths will actually invade your home, living in cupboards and pantries, especially in and around packages of grains, pet food and other perishables. Meal Moths’ waste and secretions contaminate food which can cause allergic reactions.

8.Cockroaches:Cockroaches make their homes in warm, humid areas like bathrooms, kitchens and basements. While being downright creepy, its the the cockroach’s saliva, feces and body parts that can cause allergic reactions, especially in children. They have also been known to spread bacteria such as E.coli, Salmonella and parasitic worms.

9.Spiders:These creepy crawlers hide out in nooks and crannies, cupboards, closets, chests and woodpiles. Although many people are afraidof spiders, they’re usually largely beneficial because they eat other insects, including other spiders, roaches, earwigs, flies, moths, and mosquitoes. The only poisonous spider in the US is the Black widow spiders and brown recluse spiders.

10.Ticks:Ticks live in wooded areas with plenty of grass and natural debris on the ground. Ticks are infamous carriers of numerous serious diseases, from Lyme disease to various fevers and even encephalitis. Be sure to watch for ticks on your skin as well as on your pets and remove immediately.

If you are concerned about pests inside or outside your home, contact our specialists at Green Earth Pest Control to identify any problems and suggest preventive remedies before small problems become big problems. We offer traditional pest control and organic pest control. We can help you determine which is best for you and your situation. Give us a call!